Substituted nicotinamide compounds and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Substituted nicotinamide compounds corresponding to formula I 
                         
a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and the use thereof for the treatment or inhibition conditions such as pain, epilepsy, migraine, anxiety states, or urinary incontinence.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority based on U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 60/972,989, filed Sep. 17, 2007. Priority is alsoclaimed based on Federal Republic of Germany patent application no. DE10 2007 044 277.9, likewise filed Sep. 17, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to substituted nicotinamide compounds, toa process for their preparation, to medicaments comprising thesecompounds and to the use of these compounds in the preparation ofmedicaments.

The treatment of pain, in particular of neuropathic pain, is of greatimportance in medicine. There is a worldwide need for effective paintherapies. The urgent need for action for a target-orientated treatmentof chronic and non-chronic states of pain appropriate for the patient,by which is to be understood successful and satisfactory pain treatmentfor the patient, is also documented in the large number of scientificworks which have recently been published in the field of appliedanalgesics and of fundamental research into nociception.

A pathophysiological feature of chronic pain is the overexcitability ofneurons. Neuronal excitability is influenced decisively by the activityof K⁺ channels, since these determine decisively the resting membranepotential of the cell and therefore the excitability threshold.Heteromeric K⁺ channels of the molecular subtype KCNQ2/3 (Kv7.2/7.3) areexpressed in neurons of various regions of the central (hippocampus,amygdala) and peripheral (dorsal root ganglia) nervous system andregulate the excitability thereof. Activation of KCNQ2/3 K⁺ channelsleads to a hyperpolarization of the cell membrane and, accompanyingthis, to a decrease in the electrical excitability of these neurons.KCNQ2/3-expressing neurons of the dorsal root ganglia are involved inthe transmission of nociceptive stimuli from the periphery into thespinal marrow (Passmore et al., J. Neurosci. 2003; 23(18): 7227-36). Ithas accordingly been possible to detect an analgesic activity inpreclinical neuropathy and inflammatory pain models for the KCNQ2/3agonist retigabine (Blackburn-Munro and Jensen, Eur J Pharmacol. 2003;460(2-3); 109-16; post et al., Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2004;369(4): 382-390). The KCNQ2/3 K⁺ channel thus represents a suitablestarting point for the treatment of pain; in particular of pain selectedfrom the group consisting of chronic pain, neuropathic pain,inflammatory pain and muscular pain (Nielsen et al., Eur J Pharmacol.2004; 487(1-3): 93-103), in particular of neuropathic and inflammatorypain.

Moreover, the KCNQ2/3 K⁺ channel is a suitable target for therapy of alarge number of further diseases, such as, for example, migraine(US2002/0128277), cognitive diseases (Gribkoff, Expert Opin Ther Targets2003; 7(6): 737-748), anxiety states (Korsgaard et al., J Pharmacol ExpTher. 2005, 14(1): 282-92), epilepsy (Wickenden et al., Expert Opin TherPat 2004; 14(4): 457-469) and urinary incontinence (Streng et al., JUrol 2004; 172: 2054-2058).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide novelcompounds which are suitable in particular as pharmacological activeingredients in medicaments, preferably in medicaments for the treatmentof disorders or diseases which are at least partly mediated by KCNQ2/3K⁺ channels.

It has now been found, surprisingly, that substituted nicotinamidecompounds of the general formula I given below are suitable for thetreatment of pain and also have an excellent affinity for the KCNQ2/3 K⁺channel and are therefore suitable for the treatment of disorders ordiseases which are at least partly mediated by KCNQ2/3 K⁺ channels.

The present invention accordingly provides substituted nicotinamidecompounds corresponding to formula I

wherein

-   n=0, 1 or 2;-   p=0 or 1-   q=0 or 1,-   R¹ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl,    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R² denotes H; C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted;-   R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, in each case    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently denote H or C₁₋₆-alkyl which    may be unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently denote H, F, Cl, Br, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, or C₁₋₆-alkyl;    with the proviso that    if R³ is 3-trifluoromethylphenyl or 4-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyl, R²,    R⁴ and R⁵ denote H and n denotes 0, then R¹ is not 2-pyridyl or    2-thienyl; and    if R³ is phenyl or methyl, R², R⁴ and R⁵ are each H, and n denotes    0, then R¹ is not 2-thienyl;    in the form of the racemate; of the enantiomers, diastereoisomers,    mixtures of the enantiomers or diastereoisomers or of an individual    enantiomer or diastereoisomer; of the bases and/or salts of    physiologically acceptable acids.

In connection with “phenyl”, “phenyloxy”, “benzyl”, “benzyloxy”,“alkylaryl”, the term in each case includes the unsubstituted structureas well as the structure substituted by F, Cl, OCH₃, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃ andCH₃.

Within the scope of this invention, the expression “C₁₋₆-alkyl” includesacyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, which can bebranched- or straight-chained and unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted, having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, i.e. C₁₋₆-alkanyls,C₂₋₆-alkenyls and C₂₋₆-alkynyls. In this context, alkenyls contain atleast one C—C double bond and alkynyls contain at least one C—C triplebond. Alkyl is advantageously selected from the group comprising methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, 2-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, ethylenyl (vinyl), ethynyl,propenyl (—CH₂CH═CH₂, —CH═CH—CH₃, —C(═CH₂)—CH₃), propynyl (—CH—C≡CH,—C≡C—CH₃), butenyl, butynyl, pentenyl, pentynyl, hexenyl and hexynyl.Methyl, ethyl and tert-butyl are particularly advantageous.

For the purposes of this invention, the expression “cycloalkyl” or“C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl” denotes cyclic hydrocarbons having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9 or 10 carbon atoms, wherein the hydrocarbons can be saturated orunsaturated (but not aromatic), unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted, bridged or unbridged. C₃₋₈-Cycloalkyl isadvantageously selected from the group containing cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl,cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctenyl,bicyclo[3.3.1]heptanyl and adamantyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” includes saturated or unsaturated (but notaromatic) cycloalkyls having from three to eight ring members, in whichone or two carbon atoms have been replaced by a hetero atom S, N or O.Heterocyclyl radicals from the group tetrahydropyranyl, dioxanyl,dioxolanyl, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrazolinonyl andpyrrolidinyl are advantageous.

Within the scope of this invention, the expression “aryl” denotesaromatic hydrocarbons having up to 14 ring members, inter alia phenylsand naphthyls. The aryl radicals can also be fused with furthersaturated, (partially) unsaturated or aromatic ring systems, whichoptionally contains one or two hetero atoms from the group O, N and S.Each aryl radical can be unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted,where the substituents on the aryl can be identical or different and canbe in any desired and possible position of the aryl. Aryl isadvantageously selected from the group containing phenyl, 1-naphthyl,2-naphthyl, each of which can be unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted.

The expression “heteroaryl” represents a 5-, 6- or 7-membered cyclicaromatic radical which contains at least 1, optionally also 2, 3, 4 or 5hetero atoms, where the hetero atoms are identical or different and theheterocyclic ring can be unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; inthe case of substitution on the heterocyclic ring, the substituents canbe identical or different and can be in any desired and possibleposition of the heteroaryl. The heterocyclic ring can also be part of abi- or poly-cyclic system having up to 14 ring members. Preferred heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. It is preferable for theheteroaryl radical to be selected from the group containing pyrrolyl,indolyl, furyl (furanyl), benzofuranyl, thienyl (thiophenyl),benzothienyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzotriazolyl,benzodioxolanyl, benzodioxanyl, phthalazinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl,pyrazinyl, indazolyl, purinyl, indolizinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,quinazolinyl, carbazolyl, phenazinyl and oxadiazolyl, where the bondingto the compounds of the general structure I can be effected via anydesired and possible ring member of the heteroaryl radical. Pyridyl,furyl and thienyl are particularly preferred.

In connection with “alkyl”, “heterocyclyl” and “cycloalkyl”, the term“substituted” is understood as meaning within the scope of thisinvention the replacement of a hydrogen radical by F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, C₁₋₆-alkyl, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂, SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, S-benzyl, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH,O—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, ═O, O-benzyl, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CO₂—C₁₋₁₆-alkyl,phenyl, phenoxy, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or benzyl, wherepolysubstituted radicals are to be understood as meaning those radicalswhich are substituted several times, e.g. two or three times, either ondifferent atoms or on the same atom, for example three times on the samecarbon atom, as in the case of CF₃ or —CH₂CF₃, or at different places,as in the case of —CH(OH)—CH═CH—CHCl₂. Polysubstitution can be with thesame or with different substituents.

In respect of “aryl” and “heteroaryl”, “mono- or poly-substituted” isunderstood within the scope of this invention as meaning the replacementone or more times, e.g. two, three or four times, of one or morehydrogen atoms of the ring system by F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NH₂,NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂,SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, O—C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl,C(═O)NHC₁₋₆-alkyl; o-pyridyl; C(═O)-aryl; C(═O)—N-morpholine;C(═O)-piperidine; (C═O)-pyrrolidine; (C═O)-piperazine; NHSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,NHCOC₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CH₂SO₂-phenyl, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OCF₃, SCF₃, CF₃,

C₁₋₆-alkyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy,phenyl, pyridyl, alkylaryl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl or furyl; onone or optionally different atoms, where a substituent can itselfoptionally be substituted, but not with a further aryl or heteroarylring. Polysubstitution in this context is with the same or withdifferent substituents. Preferred substituents for “aryl” or“heteroaryl” are F, Cl, Br, OCH₃, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃ and CH₃.

Within the scope of this invention, the term of salt formed with aphysiologically acceptable acid is understood as meaning salts of theparticular active ingredient with inorganic or organic acids which arephysiologically acceptable—in particular when used in humans and/ormammals. The hydrochloride is particularly preferred. Examples ofphysiologically acceptable acids are: hydrochloric acid, hydrobromicacid, sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid,oxalic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid, fumaric acid,maleic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, glutamic acid,1,1-dioxo-1,2-dihydro1λ⁶-benzo[d]isothiazol-3-one (saccharic acid),monomethylsebacic acid, 5-oxo-proline, hexane-1-sulfonic acid, nicotinicacid, 2-, 3- or 4-aminobenzoic acid, 2,4,6-trimethyl-benzoic acid,α-liponic acid, acetylglycine, hippuric acid, phosphoric acid and/oraspartic acid. Citric acid and hydrochloric acid are particularlypreferred.

Preference is given within the scope of this invention to substitutednicotinamide compounds of the general formula I

wherein

-   n=0, 1 or 2;-   p=0 or 1;-   q=0 or 1;-   R¹ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl,    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R² denotes H; C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted;-   R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, in each case    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another denote H; C₁₋₆-alkyl,    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently of one another denote H, F, Cl, Br,    O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, C₁₋₆-alkyl;    with the proviso that    if R³ denotes 3-trifluoromethylphenyl or    4-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyl, R², R⁴ and R⁵ each denote H, and n    denotes 0, then R¹ is not 2-pyridyl or 2-thienyl; and    if R³ denotes phenyl or methyl, R², R⁴ and R⁵ each denote H, and n    denotes 0, then R¹ is not 2-thienyl;    wherein    “alkyl substituted”, “heterocyclyl substituted” and “cycloalkyl    substituted” denote the replacement of a hydrogen by F, Cl, Br, I,    —CN, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, C₁₋₆-alkyl,    N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂, SH, S—C₁₋₁₆-alkyl, S-benzyl,    O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, ═O, O-benzyl, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl,    CO₂H, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, phenyl, phenoxy, morpholinyl, piperidinyl,    pyrrolidinyl or benzyl; and    “aryl substituted” and “heteroaryl substituted” denote the    replacement one or more times, e.g. two, three or four times, of one    or more hydrogen atoms of the ring system by F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NH₂,    NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂,    NO₂, SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, O—C₁₋₆alkyl-OH,    C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(═O)NHC₁₋₆-alkyl; o-pyridyl; C(═O)-aryl;    C(═O)—N-morpholine; C(═O)-piperidine; (C═O)-pyrrolidine;    (C═O)-piperazine; NHSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, NHCOC₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H,    CH₂SO₂-phenyl, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OCF₃, SCF₃, CF₃,

C₁₋₆-alkyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy,phenyl, pyridyl, alkylaryl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl or furyl.

Substituted nicotinamide derivatives of the general formula I arepreferred in which p and q each denote 1 (sulfones).

Preference is also given to substituted nicotinamide derivatives offormula I in which p and q each denote 0 (thioethers).

Preference is further given to substituted nicotinamide compounds offormula I in which R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ each denote H.

Preference is given to substituted nicotinamide derivatives of formula Iin which:

-   R¹ denotes pyrrolyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl,    thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl,    thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl, phenyl, naphthyl, cyclopropyl,    cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, tetrahydropyranyl,    dioxanyl or C₁₋₆-alkyl, in each case unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted;    especially compounds in which:-   R¹ denotes tert-butyl, phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, furyl or    cyclohexyl, unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted.

Particular preference is given to substituted nicotinamide derivativesof formula I in which:

-   R¹ denotes cyclohexyl; phenyl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted by F, CH₃, Cl, Br, CF₃, OCH₃, SCF₃ or OCF₃;    pyridyl, thienyl or furyl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted by CH₃.

It is preferable for R² to represent CH₃ or H, in particular H.

It is further preferable for R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of oneanother to represent H or CH₃, in particular H.

n preferably denotes 0 or 1, particularly preferably 0.

Preference is given also to substituted nicotinamide derivatives inwhich R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted, preferably

R³ denotes phenyl or pyridyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted, in particular phenyl mono- or poly-substituted by F,CH₃, CF₃, OCF₃, OCH₃, SCF₃ or Cl.

Particular preference is given to substituted nicotinamide derivativesin which R³ denotes phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by CF₃ or CH₃.

Particular preference is given also to compounds in which the preferreddefinitions listed for the groups R¹ to R⁷ are combined with oneanother.

Very particular preference is given to substituted nicotinamidecompounds selected from the group consisting of:

-   1 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide-   2 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)nicotinamide-   3 N-(3-fluorophenethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   4    N-methyl-N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   N-(4-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   6    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide-   7 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)nicotinamide-   8 N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   9 N-methyl-N-phenethyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   10    N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   11 N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   12    N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   13    N-(3-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   14 N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   15 N-(3-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   16    N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   17 N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   18 N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   19    N-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   20 N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   21    N-(2-methoxyphenethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   22    N-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   23 N-(2-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   24    N-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   25 N-(3-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   26    N-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   29 N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   30    N-(2,3-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   31    N-(4-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   32    N-((1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   33 N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   34 N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   35 N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   36 N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   37 N-(3-fluorophenethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   38 N-methyl-N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   39 N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   40 N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   41 N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   42 N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   43 N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   44 N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   45 N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   46 N-(3-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   47 N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   48 N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   49 N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   50 N-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   51 N-(3-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide-   52 2-(2-tosylethylthio)-N-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide-   54 N-benzyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   55 N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   56 N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   57    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)-nicotinamide-   58 N-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   59    2-(2-(cyclohexylthio)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide-   60 N-(neopentyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   61    N-(5-methylfuran-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   62 N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   63    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   64    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)benzyl)-nicotinamide-   65 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(3-tolylmethyl)nicotinamide-   66    (R)—N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   67    N-(1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   68    N-(1-thiophen-2-ylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   69    N-(1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   70    N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-trifluoromethylphenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   71    (S)—N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   72    N-(1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   73    N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylthio)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   74 N-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   75 N-(cyclobutylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   76    N-((1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   77    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(4-(pyridin-2-yloxy)benzyl)nicotinamide-   78 N-(2-methylbutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   79 N-(2-ethylbutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   80 N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   81    N-(3-(2-methoxyethoxy)propyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotin-amide-   82    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)ethyl)-nicotinamide-   83    N-(3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   84    N-((2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   85 N-(4-phenoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   86    N-(((1R,2S,5R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   87    N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   88    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide-   93 N-isobutyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide-   94    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-tetrahydropyranylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   95    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(5-methyl-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   96    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(4-methyl-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   97    N-(1-adamantylmethyl)-2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-nicotinamide-   98    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(3-morpholinophenyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   99    2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   100    2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   101    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   102    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   103    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   104    2-[2-(m-tolylsulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   105 2-[2-(m-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   106    2-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   107    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-nicotinamide-   108    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-benzothiophenylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   109 2-[2-(phenylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   110    2-[2-(benzenesulfinyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   111    2-(2-cyclohexylsulfonylethylthio)-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   112    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thio]ethylthio]-nicotinamide-   113    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfinylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   114    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   115    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(5-chloro-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   116    2-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   117    2-[2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   118    2-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   119    2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   120    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(4-tetrahydrothiopyranylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   121    2-[2-(4-ethylphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   122    N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thio]ethylthio]-nicotinamide-   123 2-[2-(o-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   124    2-[2-[(3-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   125    2-[2-[(3,4-difluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   126    2-[2-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   127    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]-nicotinamide-   128 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-phenthyl-nicotinamide-   129 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(3-phenylpropyl)-nicotinamide-   130    2-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   131    2-[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   132    2-[2-[(2-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   133    2-[2-[(4-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   134    2-[2-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   135 2-[2-(p-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   136 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-isopentyl-nicotinamide-   137    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-cyclopropylethyl)-nicotinamide-   138    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-cyclopentylethyl)-nicotinamide-   139    N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   140    N-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide-   141    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   142    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-nicotinamide-   143    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-fluoro-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   144    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(3-methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   145    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(cycloheptylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   146    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(2-methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   147    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(4-methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide-   148    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-fluoro-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   149    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide-   150    2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-nicotinamide.

The substituted nicotinamide compounds according to the invention, andin each case the corresponding acids, bases, salts and solvates, aresuitable as pharmaceutical active ingredients in medicaments.

The present invention therefore further provides a medicament comprisingat least one substituted nicotinamide compound of the general formula Iaccording to the invention, wherein

-   n=0, 1 or 2-   p=0 or 1-   q=0 or 1,-   R¹ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl,    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R² denotes H; C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted;-   R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono- or    poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, in each case    unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ independently of one another each denote H or    C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted;-   R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently of one another each denote H, F, Cl,    Br, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, C₁₋₆-alkyl; and optionally one or    more pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances.

Preference is given to medicaments falling within the above-mentionedpreferred ranges and combinations thereof.

Particular preference is given to pharmaceutical compositionsmedicaments selected from the following group consisting of:

-   89    2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide-   90    N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide-   91    N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)ethyl-thio)nicotinamide-   92    N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)ethyl-thio)nicotinamide.

These medicaments according to the invention are suitable forinfluencing KCNQ2/3 channels and exert an agonistic or antagonistic, inparticular an agonistic, action. The medicaments of the invention areparticularly suitable for the treatment of disorders or diseases whichare at least partly mediated by KCNQ2/3 channels.

The medicament according to the invention is preferably suitable for thetreatment of one or more diseases selected from the group consisting ofpain, preferably pain selected from the group consisting of acute pain,chronic pain, neuropathic pain, muscular pain and inflammatory pain,migraine; epilepsy, anxiety states and urinary incontinence. Themedicaments according to the invention are particularly preferablysuitable for the treatment of pain, very particularly preferably ofchronic pain, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain and muscular pain. Thecompounds according to the invention are further preferably suitable forthe treatment of epilepsy.

The present invention also provides the use of at least one substitutednicotinamide compound according to the invention and optionally one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances in the preparationof a medicament and for the treatment of disorders or diseases which areat least partly mediated by KCNQ2/3 channels. In particular, one or moresubstituted nicotinamide compound according to the invention andoptionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substancesmay be used for the preparation of a medicament and for the treatment ofpain, preferably of pain selected from the group consisting of acutepain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, muscular pain and inflammatorypain; migraine; epilepsy, anxiety states and urinary incontinence.Particular preference is given to the use of at least one substitutednicotinamide compound according to the invention and optionally one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances in the preparationof a medicament and for the treatment of pain, very particularlypreferably of chronic pain, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain andmuscular pain. Particular preference is further given to the use of atleast one substituted nicotinamide compound according to the inventionand optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliarysubstances in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment ofepilepsy.

The effectiveness of the compounds and compositions of the presentinvention against pain can be shown, for example, in the Bennett orChung model described hereinafter. The effectiveness against epilepsycan be shown, for example, in the DBA/2 mouse model (De Sarro et al.,Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 2001, 363, 330-336).

The present invention also includes a process for preparing thesubstituted nicotinamide compounds according to the invention. Thechemicals and reaction components employed in the reactions describedabove are commercially available or in each case can be prepared byconventional methods known to persons skilled in the art.

General Synthesis

Route A (A=S, SO, SO₂)

The initial acylating reaction of amines with the aid of carboxylicacids, in this case mercaptonicotinic acid, using bases and optionallycoupling reagents can be carried out in solvents, such as, for example,methanol, DMF or DCM. Examples of bases which can be used are sodiummethanolate, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or N-methylmorpholine.Suitable coupling reagents are, for example, EDCI, HOBt, DCC, CDI, HBTU,DMAP or pentafluorophenyl-diphenyl phosphinate. The reaction time canvary from 1 hour to 3 days. However, it is also possible first toconvert the mercaptonicotinic acid into the carboxylic acid chloride.Suitable reagents for this purpose include, for example, COCl₂, PCl₃,POCl₃, P₂O₅, SOCl₂ or SiCl₄ in solvents such as, for example, pyridine,DCM, DMF or toluene.

For the subsequent thioether formation, it may be necessary to preparethe halogenated thioether Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ (where A=S). To this end, forexample, a corresponding thiol can be reacted under UV irradiation withvinyl halides. Furthermore, the halogenated thioether Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³(where A=S) can be carried out, for example, by reaction of acorresponding thiol with a mixture of acetylene and bromine in carbontetrachloride. A further method uses the reaction of 1,2-dihaloalkaneswith a thiol in benzene, toluene or methanol in the presence of basessuch as, for example, NaOH, KOH or sodium methanolate, optionally withthe addition of hydrazine or tricaprylmethylammonium chloride.

The corresponding halogenated thioether Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ (where A=S) canoptionally be oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxide Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³(where A=SO). This oxidation can be carried out with oxidizing agentssuch as, for example, H₂O₂, NalO₄, NaClO₂, m-chloroperbenzoic acid oroxone in solvents such as, for example, glacial acetic acid, water,methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, DCM or THF or in mixtures of thesesolvents.

The reaction of a corresponding halogenated thiol Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ (whereA=S), sulfoxide Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ (where A=SO) or sulfone Y—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³(where A=SO₂) with the mercaptonicotinic acid amide can be carried outboth with iodides, bromides or chlorides in the presence of bases, suchas, for example, potassium carbonate, KOH, NaOH, triethylamine,diisopropylethylamine, sodium methanolate or ethanolate or sodiumacetate, in solvents such as, for example, diethyl ether, THF, DMF,acetone, acetonitrile, DCM, water, ethanol or methanol.

The thioether can also be formed by reaction of themercaptonicotin-amide with a corresponding alcohol HO—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³(where A=S, SO, SO₂) using reagents such as, for example, sulfuric acid,phosphoric acid, perchloric acid, acetic anhydride or zirconiumtetrachloride. In addition to these acidic reagents, however, it is alsopossible to use bases, such as, for example, sodium hydride. However,(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)triphenylphosphonium iodide, phenylmethanesulfonate, hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide or1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide are also suitable as furthercoupling reagents. The mentioned reagents can be used both individuallyand in combinations. Examples of suitable solvents include water,diethyl ether, acetic acid and DMF.

The corresponding alcohol HO—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ (where A=SO) is obtained byoxidation of the corresponding thioether HO—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ (where A=S)with oxidizing agents such as, for example, H₂O₂, NalO₄, NaClO₂,m-chloroperbenzoic acid or oxone in solvents such as, for example,glacial acetic acid, water, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, DCM or THF orin mixtures of these solvents.

Route B (A=S, SO, SO₂)

The mercaptonicotinic acid thioether can be formed by reaction of themercaptonicotinic acid with a corresponding alcohol HO—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³(where A=S, SO, SO₂) using reagents such as, for example, sulfuric acid,phosphoric acid, perchloric acid, acetic anhydride or zirconiumtetrachloride. In addition to these acidic reagents, however, it is alsopossible to use bases, such as, for example, sodium hydride. However,(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)triphenyl-phosphonium iodide, phenylmethanesulfonate, hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide or1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide are also suitable as furthercoupling reagents. The mentioned reagents can be used both individuallyand in combinations. Examples of suitable solvents include water,diethyl ether, acetic acid and DMF.

The reaction of a corresponding halogenated compound HO—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³(where A=S, SO, SO₂, Y═Cl, Br, I) with the mercaptonicotinic acid can becarried out both with iodides, bromides or chlorides in the presence ofbases, such as, for example, potassium carbonate, KOH, NaOH,triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, sodium methanolate or ethanolateor sodium acetate, in solvents such as, for example, diethyl ether, THF,DMF, acetone, acetonitrile, DCM, water, ethanol or methanol.

The subsequent acylation using bases and optionally coupling reagentscan be carried out in solvents such as, for example, methanol, DMF orDCM. Examples of bases which can be used are sodium methanolate,triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or N-methylmorpholine. Suitablecoupling reagents are, for example, EDCI, HOBt, DCC, CDI, HBTU, DMAP orpentafluorophenyl-diphenyl phosphinate. The reaction time can vary from1 hour to 3 days.

However, it is also possible first to convert the carboxylic acid intothe carboxylic acid chloride. Suitable reagents for this purposeinclude, for example, COCl₂, PCl₃, POCl₃, P₂O₅, SOCl₂ or SiCl₄ insolvents such as, for example, pyridine, DCM, DMF or toluene.

Route C (A=S, SO₂)

The initial acylating reaction of amines with the aid of carboxylicacids, in this case the halogenated nicotinic acid, using bases andoptionally coupling reagents can be carried out in solvents, such as,for example, methanol, DMF or DCM. Examples of bases which can be usedare sodium methanolate, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine orN-methylmorpholine. Suitable coupling reagents are, for example, EDCI,HOBt, DCC, CDI, HBTU, DMAP or pentafluorophenyldiphenyl phosphinate. Thereaction time can vary from 1 hour to 3 days.

However, it is also possible first to convert the carboxylic acid intothe carboxylic acid chloride. Suitable reagents for this purposeinclude, for example, COCl₂, PCl₃, POCl₃, P₂O₅, SOCl₂ or SiCl₄ insolvents such as, for example, pyridine, DCM, DMF or toluene.

For the subsequent substitution reaction with the corresponding thiolsHS—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ or thiolates —S—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³, both chlorine derivativesand bromine derivatives (X═Cl, Br) of the nicotinic acid are suitable.The substitution can be used in solvents such as, for example, methanol,ethanol, 2-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, benzene, toluene, THF,dioxane, acetonitrile, chloroform, DMF, DMSO or mixtures of thesolvents.

Suitable bases for the production of the thiolate include, for example,KOH, NaOH, potassium carbonate, sodium methanolate, sodium ethanolate,potassium tert-butoxide, triethylamine, sodium hydride but also, forexample, sodium. As additives there can be used, for example, compoundssuch as sodium iodide, tetrabutylammonium bromide, chloride or hydrogensulfate, or HMPT.

Route D (A=S, SO₂)

Both the chlorine derivatives and bromine derivatives of the nicotinicacid (X═Cl, Br) are suitable for the substitution reaction with thiolsHS—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³ or thiolates —S—CH₂—CH₂-A-R³. The substitution can beused in solvents such as, for example, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol,2-methyl-2-propanol, benzene, toluene, THF, dioxane, acetonitrile,chloroform, DMF, DMSO or mixtures of the solvents.

Suitable bases for the production of the thiolate include, for example,KOH, NaOH, potassium carbonate, sodium methanolate, sodium ethanolate,potassium tert-butoxide, triethylamine, sodium hydride but also, forexample, sodium. As additives there can be used, for example, compoundssuch as sodium iodide, tetrabutylammonium bromide, chloride or hydrogensulfate, or HMPT.

The subsequent acylation reaction of amines with the aid of carboxylicacids using bases and optionally coupling reagents can be carried out insolvents such as, for example, methanol, DMF or DCM. Examples of baseswhich can be used are sodium methanolate, triethylamine,diisopropylethyl-amine or N-methylmorpholine. Suitable coupling reagentsinclude, for example, EDCI, HOBt, DCC, CDI, HBTU, DMAP orpentafluorophenyldiphenyl phosphinate. The reaction time can vary from 1hour to 3 days.

However, it is also possible first to convert the carboxylic acid intothe carboxylic acid chloride. Suitable reagents for this purposeinclude, for example, COCl₂, PCl₃, POCl₃, P₂O₅, SOCl₂ or SiCl₄ insolvents such as, for example, pyridine, DCM, DMF or toluene.

The reactions described above can furthermore in each case be carriedout under conventional conditions familiar to the person skilled in theart, for example in respect of pressure, temperature, protecting gasatmosphere or sequence of addition of the components. The optimumprocess procedure under the particular conditions can optionally bedetermined by persons skilled in the art by simple preliminaryexperiments.

All the process steps described above and in each case also thepurification and/or isolation of intermediates or end products can becarried out in part or entirely under an inert gas atmosphere,preferably under a nitrogen atmosphere or argon atmosphere.

The substituted nicotinamide compounds according to the invention can beisolated both in the form of their free bases and their free acids andin each case also in the form of corresponding salts, in particularphysiologically acceptable salts. The free bases of the particularsubstituted nicotinamide compounds according to the invention can beconverted into the corresponding salts, preferably physiologicallyacceptable salts, for example, by reaction with an inorganic or organicacid, preferably with hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuricacid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,carbonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malicacid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid, fumaric acid, lacticacid, citric acid, glutamic acid or aspartic acid. The free bases of theparticular substituted nicotinamide compounds according to the inventioncan likewise be converted into the corresponding physiologicallyacceptable salts with the free acid or a salt of a sugar substitute,such as, for example, saccharin, cyclamate or acesulfame.

Correspondingly, the free acids of the substituted nicotinamidecompounds according to the invention can be converted into thecorresponding physiologically acceptable salts by reaction with asuitable base. Examples which may be mentioned are the alkali metalsalts, alkaline earth metal salts or ammonium salts [NH_(x)R_(4-x)]⁺,wherein x=0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and R represents a linear or branchedC₁₋₄-alkyl radical.

The substituted nicotinamide compounds according to the invention canoptionally, like the corresponding acids, the corresponding bases orsalts of these compounds, also be obtained in the form of theirsolvates, preferably in the form of their hydrates, by conventionalmethods known to the person skilled in the art.

If the substituted nicotinamide compounds according to the inventioncontain one or more chiral carbon atoms, they may be obtained aftertheir preparation in the form of a mixture of their stereoisomers,preferably in the form of their racemates or other mixtures of theirvarious enantiomers and/or diastereoisomers. These can be separated byconventional processes known to the person skilled in the art andoptionally isolated. Examples which may be mentioned are chromatographicseparation processes, in particular liquid chromatography processesunder normal pressure or under elevated pressure, preferably MPLC andHPLC processes, and processes of fractional crystallization. In thiscontext, individual enantiomers, e.g. diastereoisomeric salts formed byHPLC on a chiral stationary phase or by crystallization with chiralacids, for example (+)-tartaric acid, (−)-tartaric acid or(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid, can in particular be separated from oneanother.

The medicament according to the invention can be in a liquid, semi-solidor solid medicament form, for example in the form of injectionsolutions, drops, juices, syrups, sprays, suspensions, tablets, patches,capsules, plasters, suppositories, ointments, creams, lotions, gels,emulsions, aerosols or in multiparticulate form, for example in the formof pellets or granules, optionally pressed to tablets, filled intocapsules or suspended in a liquid, and can also be administered as such.In addition to at least one substituted nicotinamide compound accordingto the invention, the medicament according to the inventionconventionally comprises further physiologically acceptablepharmaceutical auxiliary substances, which can preferably be selectedfrom the group consisting of carriers, fillers, solvents, diluents,surface-active substances, colourings, preservatives, disintegratingagents, slip agents, lubricants, flavourings and binders.

The choice of the physiologically acceptable auxiliary substances andthe amounts thereof to be employed depends on whether the medicament isto be administered orally, subcutaneously, parenterally, intravenously,intra-peritoneally, intradermally, intramuscularly, intranasally,buccally, rectally or locally, for example to infections on the skin,the mucous membranes and on the eyes. Formulations in the form oftablets, coated tablets, capsules, granules, pellets, drops, juices andsyrups are preferably suitable for oral administration, and solutions,suspensions, easily reconstitutable dry formulations and sprays aresuitable for parenteral, topical and inhalatory administration.

The substituted nicotinamide compounds employed in the medicamentaccording to the invention can be in a depot, in dissolved form or in aplaster, optionally with the addition of agents which promotepenetration through the skin, as suitable formulations for percutaneousadministration.

Formulation forms which can be used orally or percutaneously can alsorelease the particular substituted nicotinamide compound according tothe invention in a delayed manner.

The preparation of the medicaments according to the invention is carriedout with the aid of conventional means, devices, methods and processesknown in the art, such as are described, for example, in “RemingtonsPharmaceutical Sciences”, editor A. R. Gennaro, 17th edition, MackPublishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, in particular in part 8, chapters76 to 93.

The amount of the particular substituted nicotinamide compound accordingto the invention to be administered to the patient can vary and depends,for example, on the weight or age of the patient and on the mode ofadministration, the indication and the severity of the disease. From0.005 to 100 mg/kg, preferably from 0.05 to 75 mg/kg of body weight ofthe patient of at least one such compound according to the invention aretypically administered.

The invention is described in further detail hereinafter with referenceto some illustrative examples, which serve to illustrate the inventionand are not to be interpreted as limiting.

Synthesis of the Example Compounds

Description of the Synthesis of the Precursors

Synthesis of 2-mercapto-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide (precursorV1)

A suspension of 8.0 g (51.5 mmol) of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid, 5.8 g(51.5 mmol) of 2-(aminomethyl)-thiophene and 3.5 g (25.8 mmol) ofphosphorus trichloride in chlorobenzene (260 ml) was heated for 3 hunder reflux (145° C.). When the reaction solution had cooled to 60° C.,filtration with suction was carried out at that temperature. The solidobtained was taken up in a DCM/MeOH mixture (3:1, vv, 300 ml) and washedwith water (2×50 ml). The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filteredand concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization of the residue from ethylacetate yielded 3.1 g (12.4 mmol, 24%) of2-mercapto-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide.

1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 4.73 (d, J=5.52 Hz, 2H) 6.97 (dd,J=5.02, 3.51 Hz, 1H) 7.01-7.11 (m, 2H) 7.41 (dd, J=5.27, 1.25 Hz, 1H)7.98 (td, J=6.27, 2.01 Hz, 1H) 8.54 (dd, J=7.53, 2.01 Hz, 1H) 11.28 (t,J=5.52 Hz, 1H) 14.06 (br.s., 1H)

Precursors V2 and V3:

Synthesis of (2-bromoethyl)(cyclohexyl)sulfane (precursor V2)

19.4 ml (225.0 mmol) of 1,2-dibromoethane and 4.1 g (30.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃were added to a solution of 3.7 ml (30.0 mmol) of cyclohexanethiol inDMF (46 ml). After 2 hours of stirring at RT, the mixture was dilutedwith diethyl ether (200 ml) and washed with saturated aqueous NaClsolution. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated in vacuo. The resulting 6.1 g of crude product(2-bromoethyl)(cyclohexyl)sulfane were used for the further reactionwithout being purified further.

Synthesis of (2-bromoethyl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfane (precursorV3)

According to the process described for V2, 10.5 g (58.9 mmol) of3-trifluoromethyl-thiophenol were converted into 19.3 g of crude product(2-bromoethyl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfane, which was used for thefurther reaction without being purified further.

Synthesis of 2-chloro-6-methyl-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide(precursor V4)

2.67 g (7.0 mmol) of HATU and 4.0 ml (23.2 mmol) of DIPEA were added at0° C. to a solution of 1.0 g (5.8 mmol) of 2-chloro-6-methyl-nicotinicacid in DMF (20 ml), and the mixture was stirred for 20 min at 0° C. Atthat temperature, 656 mg (5.8 mmol) of thiophen-2-ylmethylamine wereadded. Stirring was then carried out for 16 h at RT. The mixture wasthen diluted with EA and washed in succession with sat. aq. NaHCO₃solution and brine. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated in vacuo. CC (hexane/EA 4:1) of the residue yielded 966mg (3.6 mmol, 63%) of2-chloro-6-methyl-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide.

Synthesis of (2-chloroethyl)(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfane (precursor V9)

5.7 ml (68.4 mmol) of 1-bromo-2-chloroethane and 1.9 g (13.7 mmol) ofK₂CO₃ were added to a solution of 2.0 g (13.7 mmol) of3,4-difluorothiophenol in DMF (20 ml). Stirring was then carried out for5 h at 60° C. and for 16 h at RT. The mixture was then diluted with EA(50 ml) and washed in succession with 1 M aq. Na₂CO₃ solution and brine.The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated invacuo. There were obtained as residue 2.7 g (12.9 mmol, 95%) of(2-chloroethyl)-(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfane, which was reacted furtherwithout additional purification.

Synthesis of 4-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-1,2-difluorobenzene (precursorV10)

A solution of 3.06 g (12.5 mmol) of m-chloroperbenzoic acid in DCM (10ml) was added dropwise at 5-10° C. to a solution of 1.04 g (5.0 mmol) of(2-chloroethyl)-(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfane in DCM (10 ml). Stirring wasthen carried out for 150 min at 10° C. The mixture was then washed ineach case twice with 1 M aq. NaHCO₃ solution and with sat. aq. Na₂SO₃solution. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated in vacuo. There were obtained as residue 1.2 g (4.94 mmol,99%) of 4-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-1,2-difluorobenzene, which was reactedfurther without additional purification.

Synthesis of (2-chloroethylsulfinyl)benzene (precursor V11)

A solution of 1.67 g (7.5 mmol) of m-chloroperbenzoic acid in DCM (10ml) was added dropwise at 5-10° C. to a solution of 1.30 g (7.5 mmol) of(2-chloroethylsulfinyl)benzene in DCM (18 ml). Stirring was then carriedout for 120 min at 10° C. The mixture was then washed in each case twicewith 1 M aq. NaHCO₃ solution and once with brine. The organic phase wasdried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. There wereobtained as residue 1.34 g (7.1 mmol, 95%) of(2-chloroethylsulfinyl)benzene, which was reacted further withoutadditional purification.

Synthesis of 1-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-4-ethylbenzene (precursor V12)

A solution of 1.0 ml (14.0 mmol) of thionyl chloride in toluene (15 ml)was added dropwise, while cooling with ice, to a solution of 1.0 g (4.67mmol) of 2-(4-ethylphenylsulfonyl)-ethanol and 56 μl (0.70 mmol) ofpyridine in toluene (20 ml). The mixture was then heated for 3 h underreflux. Quenching with ice and water was then carried out. The phaseswere separated and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with DCM. Thecombined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentratedin vacuo. There were obtained as crude product 1.19 g of slightly impure1-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-4-ethylbenzene, which was reacted furtherwithout additional purification.

Further precursors were prepared analogously to the described processes.Table T1 summarizes which precursors were prepared analogously to whichprocess. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art whichstarting materials were used in each case.

TABLE T1 Synthesis analogous Pre- to cursor Name precursor V52,6-difluoro-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-nicotinamide V4 V62-chloro-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-6- V4 (trifluoromethyl)nicotinamide V72-chloro-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-5- V4 (trifluoromethyl)nicotinamide V82-chloro-5-fluoro-N-(thiophen-2- V4 ylmethyl)nicotinamide V13(2-chloroethyl)(4-fluorophenyl)sulfane V9 V14(2-chloroethyl)(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)sulfane V9 V15(2-chloroethyl)(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)sulfane V9 V16(2-chloroethyl)(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)sulfane V9 V17(2-chloroethyl)(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)sulfane V9 V18(2-chloroethyl)(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)sulfane V9 V19(2-chloroethyl)(2-methylphenyl)sulfane V9 V20(2-chloroethyl)(3-methylphenyl)sulfane V9 V21(2-chloroethyl)(2,4-difluorophenyl)sulfane V9 V221-(2-chloroethylsulfinyl)-3- V11 (trifluoromethoxy)benzene V231-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-2-fluorobenzene V12 V241-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-2-trifluoromethylbenzene V10 V251-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-4-trifluoromethylbenzene V10 V261-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-3-trifluoromethoxy- V10 benzene V271-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-4-trifluoromethoxy- V10 benzene V281-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-3-methylbenzene V10 V291-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-3-methoxybenzene V12 V301-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-4-methoxybenzene V12 V311-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-2,4-difluorobenzene V10 V321-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-3,5-ditrifluoromethyl- V12 benzeneAmines Used (Table T2)

The following amines were used for the synthesis of the examples:

TABLE T2 A01 Phenylmethanamine A02 N-methyl-1-phenylmethanamine A03pyridin-2-ylmethanamine A04 pyridin-4-ylmethanamine A05thiophen-2-ylmethanamine A06 2-(3-fluorophenyl)ethanamine A07N-methyl-1-m-tolylmethanamine A08 furan-2-ylmethanamine A09p-tolylmethanamine A10 (2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanamine A11pyridin-3-ylmethanamine A12 (3,5-difluorophenyl)methanamine A13N-methyl-2-phenylethanamine A14 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylmethanamineA15 (2-fluorophenyl)methanamine A16 m-tolylmethanamine A17(3,4-difluorophenyl)methanamine A181-(3-bromophenyl)-N-methylmethanamine A19 (2-methoxyphenyl)methanamineA20 (3-fluorophenyl)methanamine A21 1-(furan-2-yl)-N-methylmethanamineA22 (4-methoxyphenyl)methanamine A23 (2-chlorophenyl)methanamine A24(3,4-dichlorophenyl)methanamine A25 (4-fluorophenyl)methanamine A262-(2-methoxyphenyl)ethanamine A27 (2,6-difluorophenyl)methanamine A28o-tolylmethanamine A29 (3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methanamine A30(3-chlorophenyl)methanamine A31 (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methanamine A32(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanamine A43(5-methylfuran-2-yl)methanamine A44 (4-chlorophenyl)methanamine A45(2,3-dichlorophenyl)methanamine A551-(4-bromophenyl)-N-methylmethanamine A641-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)-N-methylmethanamine A66 Cyclopentylmethanamine A67Cyclobutylmethanamine A68 (1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methanamine A69(4-(pyridin-2-yloxy)phenyl)methanamine A70 2-methylbutan-1-amine A712-ethylbutan-1-amine A72 2-methylpropan-1-amine A73Cyclopropylmethanamine A74 3-(2-methoxyethoxy)propan-1-amine A751-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethanamine A76 Cyclohexylmethanamine A77Methanamine A78 1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethanamine A792-cyclohexylethanamine A80 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-amine A81(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanamine A82(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)methanamine A83(S)-1-cyclohexylethanamine A84 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethanamine A851-(thiophen-2-yl)ethanamine A86 (3,5-dimethylphenyl)methanamine A87(R)-1-cyclohexylethanamine A88 3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)methanamine A89(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)methanamine A90 (4-phenoxyphenyl)methanamineA91 6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-yl)methanamine A921-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)ethanamine A93(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methanamine A94(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)methanamine A95(4-methylthiophen-2-yl)methanamine A96 1-adamantylmethanamine A97(3-morpholinophenyl)methanamine A98 3,3-dimethylbutan-1-amine A99benzo[b]thiophen-2-ylmethanamine A100 (5-chlorothiophen-2-yl)methanamineA101 (tetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-4-yl)methanamine A1022-(thiophen-2-yl)ethanamine A103 2-phenylethanamine A1043-phenylpropan-1-amine A105 3-methylbutan-1-amine A1062-cyclopropylethanamine A107 2-cyclopentylethanamine A108Cycloheptylmethanamine A109 (2-methylcyclohexyl)methanamine A110(4-methylcyclohexyl)methanamine

The mentioned amines are either commercially available from supplierssuch as ABCR, ACBBlocks, Acros, Aldrich, Array Biopharma, BASF, FulcrumScientific, Indofine, Interchim, Lancaster, Matrix, Maybridge, RareChemicals or Synchem or were synthesized, as in the case of A75, A82,A84 and A92.

Synthesis of 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethylamine (A75)

16.4 ml (150.0 mmol) of tetrapropyl orthotitanate were added to asolution of 4.46 g (30.0 mmol) of 3,4-dimethylacetophenone in a 2 Methanolic ammonia solution (75 ml), and the mixture was stirred for 6hours at RT. 1.7 g (45.0 mmol) of sodium borohydride were then added,and stirring was continued for a further 16 hours at RT. Thereafter, thereaction solution was poured into a saturated aqueous ammonia solution(75 ml). The precipitate that formed was filtered off with suction, andthen washing with ethyl acetate was carried out. The aqueous filtratewas concentrated in vacuo, followed by extraction twice with ethylacetate. The combined ethyl acetate phases were extracted three timeswith 2 M hydrochloric acid. The combined aqueous phases were adjusted topH 11 with a 2 M aq. NaOH solution and then extracted three times withethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄,filtered and concentrated in vacuo. CC (ethyl acetate/MeOH 9:1) yielded799 mg (5.4 mmol, 18%) of 1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethylamine.

1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 1.20 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H) 2.17 (s, 3H) 2.19(s, 3H) 3.89 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 1H) 6.99-7.07 (m, 2H) 7.08-7.15 (m, 1H)

Synthesis of 4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)methylamine (A82)

According to the process described for precursor A75, 5.0 g (24.2 mmol)of 4-(trifluoromethylthio)-benzaldehyde were converted into 64 mg (0.31mmol, 1%) of 4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)methylamine.

1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 3.77 (s, 2H) 7.50 (d, J=8.03 Hz, 2H)7.65 (d, J=8.03 Hz, 2H)

Synthesis of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethylamine (A84)

According to the process described for precursor A75, 2.17 g (14.6 mmol)of 3,5-dimethylacetophenone were converted into 1.08 g (7.2 mmol, 50%)of 1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethylamine.

1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 1.20 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H) 2.23 (s, 6H),3.88 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 1H) 6.77-6.83 (m, 1H) 6.91-7.00 (m, 2H)

Synthesis of 1-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)ethanamine (A92)

According to the process described for precursor A75, 4.4 g (20.0 mmol)of 4′-(trifluoromethylthio)acetophenone were converted into 1.78 g (8.0mmol, 40%) of 1-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)ethanamine.

1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 1.24 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H) 4.03 (q, J=6.6Hz, 1H) 7.54 (d, J=8.53 Hz, 2H) 7.64 (d, J=8.03 Hz, 2H)

Acids Used

2-(2-(Phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid S1 is commerciallyavailable from the suppliers Alfa Aesar and ABCR.

Synthesis of 2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinic acid (acid S2)

A solution of 7.3 g (47 mmol) of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid and 9.6 g (48mmol) of 2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-ethanol was dissolved in DMF (80 ml). 0.5ml of conc. H₂SO₄ was then carefully added dropwise, and stirring wascarried out overnight under reflux. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated using a Genevac (EZ2). The residue was dissolved inacetonitrile and the solid was separated off. The mother liquor wasconcentrated, and MeOH was added. The resulting solid was filtered offand dried. 2.35 g (7 mmol, 14.8%) of 2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinic acidwere obtained as solid.

1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) d ppm 2.48 (s, 3H) 3.31-3.44 (m, 2H) 3.48-3.59(m, 2H) 7.09 (dd, J=7.78, 4.77 Hz, 1H) 7.40 (d, J=8.03 Hz, 2H) 7.85 (d,J=8.53 Hz, 2H) 8.27 (dd, J=7.78, 1.76 Hz, 1H) 8.40 (dd, J=4.52, 2.01 Hz,1H)

Synthesis of 2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinicacid (acid S3)

683 mg (4.92 mmol) of K₂CO₃ were added to a suspension of 349 mg (2.25mmol) of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid in DMF (5 ml), and the mixture wasstirred for 30 min at RT. 614 mg (2.25 mmol) of2-chloroethyl-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfone were then added, andstirring was continued for a further 72 h at RT. The reaction solutionwas concentrated in vacuo, the residue obtained was taken up in ethylacetate, and water was added. The pH was adjusted to 3 with 2 Mhydrochloric acid, and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase wasextracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were driedover MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. 778 mg (1.99 mmol, 88%)of 2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid wereobtained as residue.

1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 3.20-3.29 (m, 2H) 3.72-3.86 (m, 2H) 7.23(dd, J=7.78, 4.77 Hz, 1H) 7.96 (t, J=8.03 Hz, 1H) 8.15-8.22 (m, 2H)8.23-8.32 (m, 2H) 8.34 (dd, J=4.77, 1.76 Hz, 1H)

Synthesis of 5-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid(acid S4) a) Synthesis of 2-mercapto-5-methylnicotinenitrile

A catalytic amount (16 μl) of 2-(dimethylamino)-ethanol was added to asolution of 1.7 g (20 mmol) of 2-cyanothioacetamide and 2.3 g (20.0mmol) of 3-ethoxymethacrolein in EtOH (50 ml), and stirring was carriedout for 24 h under reflux. The mixture was then largely concentrated invacuo. The resulting precipitate was filtered off and washed with coldethanol. There were thereby obtained 1.45 g (9.6 mmol, 48%) of2-mercapto-5-methylnicotinenitrile, which was reacted further withoutadditional purification.

b) Synthesis of 5-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinenitrile

1.9 g (14.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ and 1.9 g (9.3 mmol) of(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)benzene were added to a solution of 1.40 g (9.3mmol) of 2-mercapto-5-methylnicotinenitrile in acetone (30 ml), andstirring was then carried out for 16 h at 60° C. The mixture was thenfiltered off and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue wastaken up in water and extracted with EA (3×50 ml). The combined organicphases were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated in vacuo. CC (hexane/EA 4:1) of the residue yielded 1.41 g(4.4 mmol, 47%) of5-methyl-2-(2-phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinenitrile.

c) Synthesis of 5-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid

A solution of 1.40 g (4.4 mmol) of5-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinenitrile in 50% aq.sulfuric acid (10 ml) was heated for 4 days under reflux. The mixturewas then poured onto ice-water and the resulting precipitate wasfiltered out. Washing with cold water was then carried out. There wereobtained as residue 1.2 g (3.6 mmol, 81%) of5-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid, which wasreacted further without additional purification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYNTHESIS OF THE EXAMPLES Examples 1 to 52

100 μmol of the corresponding acid solution (0.05 M in DCM, 2 ml) werefirst placed at room temperature in a reaction vessel (Heidolph), 105μmol of CDI solution (0.1 05 M in DCM, 1 ml) were added, and the mixturewas shaken for 1 h at room temperature. 100 μmol of the correspondingamine (0.1 M in DCM, 1 ml) were then added at room temperature, andshaking was continued for a further 12 h at RT. When the reaction wascomplete, 3 ml of water were added, shaking was carried out for 15 min,and then the organic phase was separated. The solvent was removed usinga Genevac and the products were purified by means of HPLC. The followingcompounds were synthesized according to this method (Table T3):

TABLE T3 MS Ex- m/z am- [M + ple Name H]⁺ 12-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)- 414.09nicotinamide 2 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-414.09 nicotinamide 3N-(3-fluorophenethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 445.10nicotinamide 4 N-methyl-N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2- 441.12(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 5N-(4-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 427.11 nicotinamide6 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(2- 481.08(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide 72-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)- 414.09nicotinamide 8 N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-449.07 nicotinamide 9N-methyl-N-phenethyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 441.12nicotinamide 10 N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2- 457.12(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 11N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 431.08 nicotinamide12 N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 449.07nicotinamide 13 N-(3-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2- 505.02(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 14N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 443.10 nicotinamide15 N-(3-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 431.08nicotinamide 16 N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-2-(2- 417.09(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 17N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 443.10 nicotinamide18 N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 447.05nicotinamide 19 N-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-481.01 nicotinamide 20N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 431.08 nicotinamide21 N-(2-methoxyphenethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 457.12nicotinamide 22 N-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-449.07 nicotinamide 23N-(2-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 427.11 nicotinamide24 N-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2- 473.11(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide 25N-(3-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 447.05 nicotinamide26 N-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 481.01nicotinamide 29 N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-447.05 nicotinamide 30N-(2,3-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- 481.01nicotinamide 31 N-(4-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl-505.02 thio)nicotinamide 32N-((1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenyl- 423.10sulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 33N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 441.12 34N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 428.10 35N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 428.10 36N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 433.06 37N-(3-fluorophenethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 459.11 38N-methyl-N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)- 455.14 nicotinamide 39N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 417.09 40N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 428.10 41N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 463.09 42N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)- 471.13 nicotinamide43 N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 445.10 44N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 441.12 45N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 463.09 46N-(3-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)- 519.03 nicotinamide 47N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 457.12 48N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 461.07 49N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 445.10 50N-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2- 487.13 tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 51N-(3-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 461.07 522-(2-tosylethylthio)-N-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)- 495.09 nicotinamide

Example 54 Synthesis ofN-benzyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide

132 mg (0.81 mmol) of CDI were added to a solution of 250 mg (0.77 mmol)of 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DCM (6 ml), and themixture was stirred for 1 h at RT. A solution of 82 mg (0.77 mmol) ofbenzylamine in DCM (6 ml) was then added, and stirring was continued fora further 16 hours at RT. The reaction solution was then washed in eachcase three times with a sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution andsaturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. The organic phase was dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. 266 mg (0.64 mmol, 83%) ofN-benzyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide were obtained asresidue.

1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 3.16-3.26 (m, 2H) 3.56-3.68 (m, 2H)4.38-4.49 (m, 2H) 7.19 (dd, J=7.55, 5.29 Hz, 1H) 7.22-7.28 (m, 1H)7.29-7.37 (m, 4H) 7.70 (t, J=7.55 Hz, 2H) 7.79 (t, J=7.18 Hz, 1H) 7.88(d, J=6.80 Hz, 1H) 7.95 (d, J=7.55 Hz, 2H) 8.31 (d, J=3.78 Hz, 1H) 9.02(t, J=5.67 Hz, 1H)

Example 55 Synthesis ofN-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide

132 mg (0.81 mmol) of CDI were added to a solution of 250 mg (0.77 mmol)of 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DCM (6 ml), and themixture was stirred for 1 hour at RT. A solution of 93 mg (0.77 mmol) ofN-benzyl-N-methylamine in DCM (6 ml) was then added, and stirring wascontinued for a further 16 h at RT. The reaction solution was thenwashed in each case three times with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solutionand saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. The organic phase was dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. CC with the residue(DCM→DCM/MeOH 99.5:0.5) yielded 152 mg (0.36 mmol, 46%) ofN-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide.

1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d ppm 3.30 (s, 3H) 3.31-3.37 (m, 2H) 3.58-3.71(m, 2H) 4.28 (s, 1H) 4.65 (s, 1H) 7.12-7.18 (m, 1H) 7.19-7.27 (m, 1H)7.28-7.34 (m, 1H) 7.35-7.43 (m, 2H) 7.65 (d, J=6.80 Hz, 1H) 7.68-7.75(m, 2H) 7.79 (t, J=6.42 Hz, 1H) 7.95 (d, J=7.55 Hz, 2H) 8.25-8.35 (m,1H)

Example 56 Synthesis ofN-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide

264 mg (1.62 mmol) of CDI were added to a solution of 500 mg (1.55 mmol)of 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DCM (12 ml), and themixture was stirred for 1 h at RT. A solution of 200 μl (1.55 mmol) ofcyclohexanemethylamine in DCM (12 ml) was then added, and stirring wascontinued for a further 16 h at RT. The reaction solution was thenwashed in each case three times with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solutionand saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. The organic phase was dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. 624 mg (1.49 mmol, 96%) ofN-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide wereobtained as residue.

MS: m/z 419.1 [M+H]⁺

Example 57 Synthesis of2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)ethyl)nicotinamide

264 mg (1.62 mmol) of CDI were added to a solution of 500 mg (1.55 mmol)of 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DCM (12 ml), and themixture was stirred for 1 h at RT. A solution of 292 mg (1.55 mmol) of1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethylamine in DCM (12 ml) was then added,and stirring was continued for a further 16 h at RT. The reactionsolution was then washed in each case three times with sat. aq. ammoniumchloride solution and saturated aqueous NaCl solution. The organic phasewas dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. CC with theresidue (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1) yielded 462 mg (0.93 mmol, 60%) of2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)nicotinamide.MS: m/z 495.1 [M+H]⁺.

Example 58 Synthesis ofN-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide

158 mg (0.93 mmol) of CDI were added to a solution of 300 mg (0.93 mmol)of 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DCM (8 ml), and themixture was stirred for 1 h at RT. A solution of 151 mg (0.93 mmol) of2-cyclohexylethylamine hydrochloride and 157 μL (0.93 mmol) ofdiisopropylethyl-amine in DCM (8 ml) was then added, and stirring wascontinued for a further 16 h at RT. The reaction solution was thenwashed in each case three times with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solutionand saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. The organic phase was dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. 390 mg (0.90 mmol, 97%) ofN-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)-ethyl-thio)nicotinamide wereobtained as residue. MS: m/z 433.2 [M+H]⁺.

Example 59 Synthesis of2-(2-(cyclohexylthio)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-nicotinamide

607 mg (4.4 mmol) of K₂CO₃ were added to a solution of 500 mg (2.0 mmol)of 2-mercapto-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide (V1) in DMF (5 ml),and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at RT. 446 mg of(2-bromoethyl)-(cyclohexyl)sulfane (crude product V2) were then added,and stirring was continued for a further 18 h at RT. The mixture wasthen diluted with ethyl acetate, and water was added. The phases wereseparated and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. Thecombined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentratedin vacuo. CC (ethyl acetate/n-hexane 1:1) with the residue yielded 268mg (0.68 mmol, 34%) of2-(2-(cyclohexylthio)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide. MS:m/z 393.1 [M+H]⁺.

Example 100 Synthesis of2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide

303 mg (2.2 mmol) of K₂CO₃ were added to a solution of 500 mg (2.0 mmol)of 2-mercapto-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide in DMF (5 ml), andstirring was carried out for 30 min at RT. 445 mg (2.0 mmol) of1-(2-chloroethylsulfonyl)-4-fluorobenzene were then added and stirringwas continued for a further 2 days at RT. The mixture was thenconcentrated in vacuo, the residue was taken up in EA, and 1M aqueousNaHCO₃ solution was added. The phases were separated and the aqueousphase was extracted with EA. The combined organic phases were dried overMgSO₄, filtered through silica gel and concentrated in vacuo. CC (DCM/EA4:1) of the residue yielded 365 mg (0.84 mmol, 48%) of2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide.MS: m/z 437.0 [M+H]⁺

Example 106 Synthesis of2-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide

A solution of 408 mg (2.0 mmol) of 2-(3-fluorophenylsulfonyl)ethanol inDCM (5 ml) was cooled to 0° C.; 304 μl (2.2 mmol) of NEt₃ and 154 μl(2.0 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid chloride were added thereto, andstirring was carried out for 16 hours at RT. In another vessel, 275 mg(2.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ were added to a solution of 500 mg (2.0 mmol) of2-mercapto-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide in DMF (6 ml), andstirring was carried out for 30 min at RT. The DCM reaction solution wasadded to this solution, and stirring was continued for 72 hours at RT.The mixture was then diluted with EA and washed with 1 N aqueous NaHCO₃solution. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated in vacuo. CC (DCM/EA 4:1) of the residue yielded 194 mg(0.44 mmol, 22%) of2-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide.MS: m/z 437.0 [M+H]⁺

Example 112 Synthesis ofN-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thio]-ethylthio]-nicotinamide

227 mg (1.65 mmol) of K₂CO₃ were added to a solution of 375 mg (1.5mmol) of 2-mercapto-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide in DMF (6 ml),and stirring was carried out for 60 min at RT. 361 mg (1.5 mmol) of(2-chloroethyl)(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfane were then added andstirring was continued for a further 16 h at RT. The mixture was thendiluted with EA and extracted with water. The organic phase was driedover MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. CC (hexane/EA 1:1) ofthe residue, followed by further CC (DCM/EA 19:1) of the resultingresidue, yielded 274 mg (0.60 mmol, 40%) ofN-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thio]ethylthio]-nicotinamide.MS: m/z 455.0 [M+H]⁺

Example 141 Synthesis of2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)nicotinamide

336 mg (3.0 mmol) of potassium tert-butoxide were added at 0° C. to asolution of 607 mg (3.0 mmol) of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethanethiol in DMF(10 ml). After stirring for 10 min at 0° C., 534 mg (2.0 mmol) of2-chloro-6-methyl-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide were added and themixture was then heated for 16 h at 50° C. Dilution with EA and washingwith brine were then carried out. The organic phase was dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. CC (hexane/EA 7:3) of theresidue yielded 556 mg (1.28 mmol, 64%) of2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide.MS: m/z 433.1 [M+H]⁺

Example 143 Synthesis of2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-fluoro-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide

258 mg (2.3 mmol) of potassium tert-butoxide were added at 0° C. to asolution of 465 mg (2.3 mmol) of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethanethiol in DMF (7ml). After stirring for 10 min at 0° C., 381 mg (1.5 mmol) of2,6-difluoro-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide were added and themixture was then heated for 16 hours at 50° C. Dilution with EA andwashing with brine were then carried out. The organic phase was driedover Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. CC (hexane/EA 7:3) ofthe residue yielded 298 mg (0.68 mmol, 45%) of2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-fluoro-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide.MS: m/z 437.0 [M+H]⁺

Example 149 Synthesis of2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)nicotinamide

456 mg (1.2 mmol) of HATU and 680 μl (4.0 mmol) of DIPEA were added at0° C. to a solution of 337 mg (1.0 mmol) of5-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DMF (3 ml).After stirring for a further 15 min at 0° C., 113 mg (1.0 mmol) ofthiophen-2-ylmethylamine were added and stirring was carried out for 16hours at RT. The mixture was then diluted with EA and washed insuccession with sat. aq. citric acid solution, saturated aqueous Na₂CO₃solution and brine. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated in vacuo. CC (hexane/EA 7:3) of the residue yielded 418mg (0.97 mmol, 97%) of2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide.MS: m/z 433.1 [M+H]⁺

Examples 60 to 88 and 94 to 150

The synthesis of Examples 60 to 88 and 94 to 150 was carried outaccording to the processes described for Examples 56 to 59, 100, 106,112, 141, 143 and 149. Which examples were prepared by which process issummarized in Tables T4 and T5.

TABLE T4 Synthesis analogous MS to example m/z Example Name no. Yield[%] [M + H]⁺ 60 N-(neopentyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)- 56 71 393.1ethylthio)nicotinamide 61 N-(5-methylfuran-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2- 56 83 417.1(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 62N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenyl- 56 75 403.1sulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 63 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N- 5690 421.1 (tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)- nicotinamide 642-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(4- 57 50 513.1(trifluoromethylthio)benzyl)- nicotinamide 652-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(3- 57 28 427.1tolylmethyl)nicotinamide 66 (R)—N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2- 57 31 433.2(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 67N-(1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethyl)-2-(2- 57 54 455.1(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 68N-(1-thiophen-2-ylethyl)-2-(2-(phenyl- 57 57 433.1sulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 69 N-(1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-2-57 52 441.1 (2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- nicotinamide 70N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-trifluoro- 57 40 487.1methylphenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)- nicotinamide 71(S)—N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2- 57 44 433.2(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 72N-(1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethyl)-2-(2- 57 46 455.1(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 73N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3- 59 25 455.0(trifluoromethyl)phenylthio)ethylthio)- nicotinamide 74N-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2-(2-(3- 57 73 405.1trifluoromethylphenylsulfonyl)ethyl- thio)nicotinamide 75N-(cyclobutylmethyl)-2-(2-(3- 58 62 391.1trifluoromethylphenylsulfonyl)ethyl- thio)nicotinamide 76N-((1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2- 57 57 423.1(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 772-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(4- 58 52 506.1(pyridin-2-yloxy)benzyl)nicotinamide 78 N-(2-methylbutyl)-2-(2-(phenyl-56 59 393.1 sulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 79N-(2-ethylbutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)- 56 60 407.1ethylthio)nicotinamide 80 N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-2-(2-(3- 56 61 377.1trifluoromethylphenylsulfonyl)- ethylthio)nicotinamide 81N-(3-(2-methoxyethoxy)propyl)-2-(2- 56 58 439.1(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 822-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1- 56 38 527.1(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)ethyl)- nicotinamide 83N-(3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzyl)-2-(2- 57 57 479.1(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 84N-((2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)- 58 57 455.1methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl- thio)nicotinamide 85N-(4-phenoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenyl- 57 52 505.1sulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 86 N-(((1R,2S,5R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo-57 75 459.2 [3.1.1]heptan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 87N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3- 57 64 487.0*(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethyl- thio)nicotinamide 882-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(3- 57 71 481.1(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamideFurther tested compounds:

89 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide90 N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-ethylthio)nicotinamide 91N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)-ethylthio)nicotinamide 92N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(5-(trifluoroethyl)pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)-ethylthio)nicotinamide

Example 93 Synthesis ofN-(isobutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide

171 mg (1.05 mmol) of CDI were added to a solution of 323 mg (1.00 mmol)of 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinic acid in DCM (16 ml), and themixture was stirred for 1 hour at RT. 99 μl (1.00 mmol) of isobutylaminewere then added, and stirring was continued for a further 5 days at RT.The reaction solution was then washed in each case twice with a 4 M aq.ammonium chloride solution and a 1 M aq. sodium hydrogen carbonatesolution. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated in vacuo. The residue obtained was taken up in ethylacetate (30 ml) and washed with 0.4 M hydrochloric acid (5 ml). Theorganic phase was again dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated invacuo. 160 mg (0.42 mmol, 42 ofN-(isobutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide were obtainedas residue. MS: m/z 379.1 [M+H]⁺

TABLE T5 Synthesis analogous MS to example Yield m/z Example Name no.[%] [M + H]⁺ 94 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2- 57 53 421.1tetrahydropyranylmethyl)-nicotinamide 952-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(5- 57 80 433.1methyl-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 962-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(4- 57 84 433.1methyl-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 97N-(1-adamantylmethyl)-2-[2-(benzene- 57 39 471.2sulfonyl)ethylthio]-nicotinamide 982-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(3- 57 67 498.1morpholinophenyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 992-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N- 100 27 453.0(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 101N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoro- 100 42 503.0methoxy)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]- nicotinamide 102N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[4-(trifluoro- 100 76 487.0methyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]- nicotinamide 103N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[4-(trifluoro- 100 24 503.0methoxy)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]- nicotinamide 1042-[2-(m-tolylsulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2- 100 19 433.1thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 105 2-[2-(m-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2- 11238 401.1 thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1072-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(3,3- 57 80 407.1dimethylbutyl)-nicotinamide 108 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-57 60 469.1 benzothiophenylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1092-[2-(phenylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2- 112 26 387.1thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 110 2-[2-(benzenesulfinyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-112 26 403.1 thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1112-(2-cyclohexylsulfonylethylthio)-N-(2- 112 11 425.1thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 113 N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[2-(trifluoro-112 41 471.0 methyl)phenyl]sulfinylethylthio]- nicotinamide 114N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[2-(trifluoro- 100 39 487.0methyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]- nicotinamide 1152-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(5- 57 61 453.0chloro-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 1162-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N- 100 17 437.0(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1172-[2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- 100 12 555.0sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)- nicotinamide 1182-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]- 100 28 449.1N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1192-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]- 100 33 449.1N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1202-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(4- 57 60 437.1tetrahydrothiopyranylmethyl)- nicotinamide 1212-[2-(4-ethylphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N- 57 16 447.1(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 122N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[4-(trifluoro- 112 41 455.0methyl)phenyl]thio]ethylthio]-nicotinamide 1232-[2-(o-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienyl- 112 25 401.1methyl)-nicotinamide 124 2-[2-[(3-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2- 11239 405.0 thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1252-[2-[(3,4-difluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N- 112 42 423.0(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1262-[2-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N- 112 41 423.0(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1272-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[2-(2- 57 60 433.1thienyl)ethyl]-nicotinamide 128 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N- 5763 427.1 phenthyl-nicotinamide 1292-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(3- 57 60 441.1phenylpropyl)-nicotinamide 1302-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]- 100 50 455.0N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1312-[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]- 100 67 455.0N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1322-[2-[(2-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2- 112 40 405.0thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1332-[2-[(4-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2- 112 43 405.0thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1342-[2-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2- 112 49 421.0thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1352-[2-(p-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienyl- 112 52 401.1methyl)-nicotinamide 136 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N- 57 53 393.1isopentyl-nicotinamide 137 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2- 57 57391.1 cyclopropylethyl)-nicotinamide 1382-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2- 57 40 419.1cyclopentylethyl)-nicotinamide 139N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoro- 57 17 475.1methyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]- nicotinamide 140N-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoro- 57 26 473.1methyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]- nicotinamide 1422-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2- 141 41 487.0thienylmethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)- nicotinamide 1442-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(3- 57 433.2methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 1452-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N- 57 433.2(cycloheptylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1462-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(2- 57 433.2methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 1472-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(4- 57 433.2methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide 1482-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-fluoro- 143 437.0N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1502-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2- 141 487.0thienylmethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)- nicotinamideBiological DataFluorescence Assay Using a Voltage Sensitive Dye

Human CHO-K1 cells expressing KCNQ2/3 channels are cultivated adherentlyat 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 95% humidity in cell culture bottles (e.g. 80 cm²TC flasks, Nunc) with DMEM-high glucose (Sigma Aldrich, D7777) including10% FCS (PAN Biotech, e.g. 3302-P270521) or alternatively with MEM AlphaMedium (1×, liquid, Invitrogen, #22571), 10% fetal calf serum (FCS)(Invitrogen, #10270-106, heat-inactivated) and the necessary selectionantibiotics.

Before being distributed for the measurements, the cells are washed witha 1×DPBS buffer without Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ (e.g. Invitrogen, #14190-094) anddetached from the bottom of the culture vessel by means of Accutase (PAALaboratories, #L11-007) (incubation with Accutase for 15 min at 37° C.).The cell count then present is determined using a CASY™ cell counter(TCC model, Schärfe System) in order subsequently to apply, according todensity optimization for the individual cell line, 20,000-30,000cells/well/100 μl of the described nutrient medium to 96-well measuringplates of the Corning™ CellBIND™ type (Flat Clear Bottom BlackPolystyrene Microplates, #3340). Incubation is then carried out for onehour at room temperature, without gassing or adjusting the humidity,followed by incubation for 24 hours at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 95% humidity.

The voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye from the Membrane Potential AssayKit (Red™ Bulk format part R8123 for FLIPR, MDS AnalyticalTechnologies™) is prepared by dissolving the contents of a vesselMembrane Potential Assay Kit Red Component A in 200 ml of extracellularbuffer (ES buffer, 120 mM NaCl, 1 mM KCl, 10 mM HEPES, 2 mM CaCl₂, 2 mMMgCl₂, 10 mM glucose; pH 7.4). After removal of the nutrient medium, thecells are washed with 200 μl of ES buffer, then covered with a layer of100 μl of the dye solution prepared above and incubated for 45 min atroom temperature with the exclusion of light.

The fluorescence measurements are carried out with a BMG LabtechFLUOstar™ or BMG Labtech NOVOstar™ or BMG Labtech POLARstar™ instrument(525 nm excitation, 560 nm emission, Bottom Read mode). After incubationof the dye, 50 μl of the test substances in the desired concentrations,or 50 μl of ES buffer for control purposes, are introduced into separatecavities of the measuring plate and incubated for 30 min at roomtemperature while being shielded from light. The fluorescence intensityof the dye is then measured for 5 min and the fluorescence value F₁ ofeach well is thus determined at a given, constant time. 15 μL of a 100mM KCl solution (final concentration 92 mM) are then added to each well.The change in fluorescence is subsequently measured until all therelevant measured values have been obtained (mainly 5-30 min). At agiven time after KCl application, a fluorescence value F₂ is determined,in this case at the time of the fluorescence peak.

For calculation, the fluorescence intensity F₂ is compared with thefluorescence intensity F₁, and the agonistic activity of the targetcompound on the potassium channel is determined therefrom. F₂ and F₁ arecalculated as follows:

${\left( \frac{F_{2} - F_{1}}{F_{1}} \right) \times 100} = {\frac{\Delta\; F}{F}(\%)}$In order to determine whether a substance has an agonistic activity,

$\frac{\Delta\; F}{F},$for example, can be compared with

$\left( \frac{\Delta\; F}{F} \right)_{K}$of control cells.

$\left( \frac{\Delta\; F}{F} \right)_{K}$is determined by adding to the reaction batch only the buffer solutioninstead of the substance to be tested, determining the value F_(1K) ofthe fluorescence intensity, adding the potassium ions as described aboveand measuring a value F_(2K) of the fluorescence intensity. Then F_(2K)and F_(1K) are calculated as follows:

${\left( \frac{F_{2\; K} - F_{1K}}{F_{1K}} \right) \times 100} = {\left( \frac{\Delta\; F}{F} \right)_{K}(\%)}$A substance has an agonistic activity on the potassium channel when

$\frac{\Delta\; F}{F}$is greater than

$\left( \frac{\Delta\; F}{F} \right)_{K}:$

$\frac{\Delta\; F}{F} > \left( \frac{\Delta\; F}{F} \right)_{K}$Independently of the comparison of

${\frac{\Delta\; F}{F}\mspace{14mu}{with}\mspace{14mu}\left( \frac{\Delta\; F}{F} \right)_{K}},$it is also possible to conclude that a target compound has agonisticactivity if an increase in

$\frac{\Delta\; F}{F}$is to be observed as the dosage of the target compound increases.

Calculations of EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values are carried out with the aid of“Prism v4.0” software (GraphPad Software™). The following values weredetermined by way of example:

TABLE T6 % inhibition [10 μM] Example or EC₅₀ 1 14.2 2 — 3 20.8 4 — 51.86 (EC₅₀) 6 — 7 — 8 1.28 (EC₅₀) 9 — 10 — 11 1.17 (EC₅₀) 12  1.8 (EC₅₀)13  1.4 (EC₅₀) 14 19.1 15 2.48 (EC₅₀) 16 — 17 6.52 (EC₅₀) 18 15.3 191.27 (EC₅₀) 20 1.28 (EC₅₀) 21 7.9 22 24.7 23 — 24 19.1 25 1.28 (EC₅₀) 26— 29 90 33 — 34 9.4 35 — 36 4.11 (EC₅₀) 37 15.5 38 1.4 39 6.09 (EC₅₀) 407.9 41 2.39 (EC₅₀) 42 — 43 1.97 (EC₅₀) 44 2.23 (E0₅₀) 45 2.14 (EC₅₀) 467.4 47 17.5 48 7.7 49  7.6 (EC₅₀) 50 6 51 4.12 (EC₅₀) 52 1.82 (EC₅₀) 542.34 (EC₅₀) 55 16.52 (EC₅₀)  56 1.01 (EC₅₀) 57  5.7 (EC₅₀) 58 1.18(EC₅₀) 59 91 60 9.59 (EC₅₀) 61 3.47 (EC₅₀) 62 4.39 (EC₅₀) 64 0.88 (EC₅₀)65 0.58 (EC₅₀) 66 40 67 32 70 106 71 20 72 45 73 107 74 130 75 64 76 5277 83 78 112 79 76 80 38 83 32 84 81 85 88 86 88 87 103 89 2.28 (EC₅₀)90 2.49 (EC₅₀) 92 2.74 (EC₅₀) 99 0.234 (EC₅₀)  100 0.503 (EC₅₀)  101 156102 0.197 (EC₅₀)  103 83 104 151 105 0.168 (EC₅₀)  106 0.187 (EC₅₀)  1071.418 (EC₅₀)  108 57 109 0.075 (EC₅₀)  110 64 111 63 112 141 113 52 11477 115 131 116 107 117 93 118 145 119 57 120 72 121 73 122 108 123 137124 151 125 147 126 150 127 75 128 48 129 132 130 147 131 116 132 133133 142 134 150 135 125 141 115 142 62 143 114 144 147 145 164 146 101147 131 148 117 149 46Voltage Clamp Measurements

In order to confirm a KCNQ2/3-agonistic action of the substanceselectrophysiologically, patch-clamp measurements (Hamill et al., 1981)were carried out in voltage clamp mode on a stably transfected hKCNQ2/3CHO-K1 cell line. After formation of the gigaseal, the cells were firstclamped at a holding potential of −60 mV. Thereafter, depolarizingvoltage jumps were applied up to a potential of +20 mV (increment: 20mV, duration: 1 second) in order to confirm the functional expression ofKCNQ2/3-typical currents. The testing of the substances was carried outat a potential of −40 mV. The increase in current induced by retigabine(10 μM) at −40 mV was first recorded as a positive control on each cell.After complete washing out of the retigabine effect (duration: 80 s),the test substance (10 μM) was applied. The increase in current inducedby the test substance was standardized to the retigabine effect andindicated as the relative efficacy (see below). Hamill O P, Marty A,Neher E, Sakmann B, Sigworth F J.: Improved patch-clamp techniques forhigh-resolution current recording from cells and cell-free membranepatches. Pflugers Arch. 1981 August; 391(2):85-100. Voltage-clampmeasurements were carried out only for selected compounds:

TABLE T7 MAN rel eff MAN Example @ 10 μm [RG = 1] EC₅₀ [μM] 56 1.06 580.47 61 0.81 65 0.4 89 1.01 90 0.79Formalin Test, Rat

The investigations to determine the antinociceptive activity of thecompounds were carried out in the formalin test on male rats(Sprague-Dawley, 150-170 g).

In the formalin test, a distinction is made between the first (early)phase (0-15 min after formalin injection) and the second (late) phase(15-60 min after formalin injection) (D. Dubuisson, S. G. Dennis, Pain4, 161-174 (1977)). The early phase, as a direct reaction to theformalin injection, represents a model for acute pain, while the latephase is regarded as a model for persistent (chronic) pain (T. J.Coderre, J. Katz, A. L. Vaccarino, R. Meizack, Pain, Vol. 52, p. 259,1993).

The compounds according to the invention were investigated in the secondphase of the formalin test in order to obtain information about theactivity of substances in the case of chronic/inflammatory pain.

A nociceptive reaction was induced in freely mobile test animals bymeans of a single subcutaneous formalin injection (50 μl, 5% strength)into the dorsal side of the right rear paw, the reaction manifestingitself in the following behaviour parameters: lifting and holding of theaffected paw (score 1), shaking or twitching (score 2), licking andbiting (score 3). The differing behaviors induced by the formalininjection were detected continuously by observation of the animals inthe late phase of the formalin test and were weighted differently in anevaluation. Normal behavior, in which the animal puts its weight on allfour paws equally, was recorded as score 0. The time of administrationbefore the formalin injection was chosen in dependence on the mode ofadministration of the compounds according to the invention(intraperitoneal: 15 min, intravenous: 5 min). After injection ofsubstances that have antinociceptive activity in the formalin test, thedescribed behaviours (score 1-3) of the animals are reduced or eveneliminated. Comparison was made with control animals which had receivedthe vehicle (solvent) prior to formalin administration. The nociceptivebehaviour was calculated as the so-called pain rate (PR). The variousbehaviour parameters were given a different weighting (factor 0, 1, 2,3). Calculation was carried out at 3-minute intervals according to thefollowing formula:PR=[(T ₀×0)+(T ₁×1)+(T ₂×2)+(T ₃×3)]/180where T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃ each correspond to the time in seconds at whichthe animal exhibited the behavior 0, 1, 2 or 3. Substance and vehiclegroups each contain n=10 animals. Based on the PR calculations, theactivity of the substance was determined as the change compared with thecontrol in percent.

TABLE T8 Example Mode of administration Change in % 56 2.15 mg/kg i.v.−34.1 73   1 mg/kg i.v. −29.9 89 6.81 mg/kg i.v. −74.2

In addition, Example 89 was investigated in the Chung test on the rat.In the case of i.v. administration, a ED₅₀ of 6.3 mg/kg was determined(Kim, S. H. and Chung, J. M., An experimental model for peripheralneuropathy produced by segmental spinal nerve ligation in the rat, Pain,50 (1992) 355-363).

Abbreviations aq. Aqueous Brine saturated aqueous NaCl solution CDI1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole D Days DCC N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide DCMDichloromethane DIPEA Diisopropylethylamine DMAP4-(dimethylamino)-pyridine DMF N,N-dimethylformamide DMSO dimethylsulfoxide EDCI N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethyl-carbodiimide EA ethylacetate sat. Saturated H hour(s) HATUO-(7-aza-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′- tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate HBTU O-(benzotriazol-1-y1)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate HMPT hexamethylphosphoric acidtriamide HOBt 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole M Molar m/z mass/charge ratioMeOH Methanol Min Minutes MS mass spectrometry RT room temperature 23 ±7° C. CC column chromatography on silica gel THF Tetrahydrofuran Vvvolume ratio

The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely toillustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Sincemodifications of the described embodiments incorporating the spirit andsubstance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, theinvention should be construed broadly to include all variations withinthe scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A substituted nicotinamide compound corresponding to formula I

wherein n=0, 1 or 2; p=0 or 1; q=0 or 1; R¹ denotes aryl or heteroaryl,each unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl,C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl, each unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; R² denotes H or C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono-or poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, in each caseunsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ eachindependently denote H or C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; and R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently denote H, F, Cl,Br, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, or C₁₋₆-alkyl; with the proviso thatwhen R³ is 3-trifluoromethylphenyl or 4-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyl, R²,R⁴ and R⁵ each denote H, and n is 0, then R¹ is not 2-pyridyl or2-thienyl; and when R³ is phenyl or methyl, R², R⁴ and R⁵ each denote H,and n is 0, then R¹ is not 2-thienyl; wherein the substituents on thealkyl, heterocyclyl or cycloalkyl groups replace one or more hydrogenatoms with one or more identical or different substituents selected fromthe group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl,NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂, SH,S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, S-benzyl, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, ═O, O-benzyl,C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, phenyl, phenoxy, morpholinyl,piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and benzyl; and the substituents on the arylor heteroaryl groups replace one or more hydrogen atoms with one or moreidentical or different substituents selected from the group consistingof F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH,N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH₂, NO₂, SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH,O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, O—C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, C(═O)NHC₁₋₆-alkyl;o-pyridyl; C(═O)-aryl; C(═O)—N-morpholine; C(═O)-piperidine;(C═O)-pyrrolidine; (C═O)-piperazine; NHSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, NHCOC₁₋₆-alkyl,CO₂H, CH₂SO₂-phenyl, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OCF₃, SCF₃, CF₃,

 C₁₋₆-alkyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy,phenyl, pyridyl, alkylaryl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl and furyl; ora salt thereof with a physiologically acceptable acid.
 2. A compound asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said compound is present in the form of anisolated stereoisomer.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcompound is present in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers in anymixing ratio.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 3, wherein said compoundis present in the form of a racemic mixture.
 5. A substitutednicotinamide compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein p and q eachdenote
 1. 6. A substituted nicotinamide compound as claimed in claim 1,wherein R¹ denotes tert-butyl, phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, furyl orcyclohexyl, each unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted.
 7. Asubstituted nicotinamide compound as claimed in claim 6, wherein R¹denotes cyclohexyl, unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted by F,CH₃, Cl, Br, or OCH₃; phenyl, unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substitutedby F, CH₃, Cl, Br, CF₃, OCH₃, SCF₃ or OCF₃; or pyridyl, thienyl orfuryl, each unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted by CH₃.
 8. Asubstituted nicotinamide compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R²denotes CH₃ or H.
 9. A substituted nicotinamide compound as claimed inclaim 1, wherein R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ each independently denote H or CH₃.10. A substituted nicotinamide compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein ndenotes 0 or
 1. 11. A substituted nicotinamide compound as claimed inclaim 1, wherein R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, each unsubstituted ormono- or poly-substituted.
 12. A substituted nicotinamide compound asclaimed in claim 11, wherein R³ denotes phenyl which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by CF₃ or CH₃.
 13. A substituted nicotinamide compoundselected from the group consisting of: 12-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide 22-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridine-4-ylmethyl)nicotinamide 3N-(3-fluorophenethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 4N-methyl-N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide5 N-(4-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 62-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide7 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(pyridine-3-ylmethyl)nicotinamide 8N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 9N-methyl-N-phenethyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 10N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide11 N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 12N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 13N-(3-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide14 N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 15N-(3-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 16N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide17 N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 18N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 19N-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 20N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 21N-(2-methoxyphenethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 22N-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 23N-(2-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 24N-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 25N-(3-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 26N-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 29N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 30N-(2,3-dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 31N-(4-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide32N-((1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide33 N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 34N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 35N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 36N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 37N-(3-fluorophenethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 38N-methyl-N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 39N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 40N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 41N-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 42N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 43N-(2-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 44N-(3-methylbenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 45N-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 46N-(3-bromobenzyl)-N-methyl-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 47N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 48N-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 49N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 50N-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 51N-(3-chlorobenzyl)-2-(2-tosylethylthio)nicotinamide 522-(2-tosylethylthio)-N-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide 54N-benzyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 55N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 56N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 572-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethyl)-nicotinamide58 N-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 592-(2-(cyclohexylthio)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide 60N-(neopentyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 61N-(5-methylfuran-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide62 N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 632-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-nicotinamide642-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)benzyl)-nicotinamide65 2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(3-tolylmethyl)nicotinamide 66(R)—N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 67N-(1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide68 N-(1-thiophen-2-ylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide69N-(1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide70N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-trifluoromethylphenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide71 (S)—N-(1-cyclohexylethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide72N-(1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide73N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylthio)ethylthio)-nicotinamide74 N-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 75N-(cyclobutylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 76N-((1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide772-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(4-(pyridin-2-yloxy)benzyl)nicotinamide78 N-(2-methylbutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 79N-(2-ethylbutyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 80N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 81N-(3-(2-methoxyethoxy)propyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide822-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(1-(4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl)ethyl)-nicotinamide83N-(3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide84N-((2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide85 N-(4-phenoxybenzyl)-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 86N-(1R,2S,5R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-(phenyl-sulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide87N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide882-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)nicotinamide93 N-isobutyl-2-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide 942-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-tetrahydropyranylmethyl)-nicotinamide952-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(5-methyl-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide962-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(4-methyl-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide97 N-(1-adamantylmethyl)-2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-nicotinamide982-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(3-morpholinophenyl)methyl]-nicotinamide992-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1002-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide101N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide102N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide103N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide104 2-[2-(m-tolylsulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide105 2-[2-(m-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1062-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide107 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-nicotinamide1082-[2-(henzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-benzothiophenylmethyl)-nicotinamide109 2-[2-(phenylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1102-[2-(benzenesulfinyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1112-(2-cyclohexylsulfonylethylthio)-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 112N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thio]ethylthio]-nicotinamide113N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfinylethylthio]-nicotinamide114N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide1152-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(5-chloro-2-thienyl)methyl]-nicotinamide1162-[2-(2-fluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1172-[2-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1182-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1192-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1202-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(4-tetrahydrothiopyranylmethyl)-nicotinamide1212-[2-(4-ethylphenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide122N-(2-thienylmethyl)-2-[2-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thio]ethylthio]-nicotinamide123 2-[2-(o-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1242-[2-[(3-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1252-[2-[(3,4-difluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1262-[2-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide127 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]-nicotinamide128 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-phenthyl-nicotinamide 1292-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(3-phenylpropyl)-nicotinamide 1302-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1312-[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)sulfonylethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1322-[2-[(2-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1332-[2-[(4-fluorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1342-[2-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide135 2-[2-(p-tolylthio)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide 1362-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-isopentyl-nicotinamide 1372-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-cyclopropylethyl)-nicotinamide 1382-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-cyclopentylethyl)-nicotinamide 139N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide140N-(cyclopentylmethyl)-2-[2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonylethylthio]-nicotinamide1412-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1422-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-nicotinamide1432-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-6-fluoro-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1442-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(3-methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide145 2-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(cycloheptylmethyl)-nicotinamide1462-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(2-methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide1472-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-[(4-methylcyclohexyl)methyl]-nicotinamide1482-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-fluoro-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide1492-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-5-methyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-nicotinamide,and 1502-[2-(benzenesulfonyl)ethylthio]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-nicotinamide.14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a substituted nicotinamidecompound corresponding to formula I

wherein n=0, 1 or 2; p=0 or 1; q=0 or 1; R¹ denotes aryl or heteroaryl,each unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl,C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl, each unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; R² denotes H or C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono-or poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, in each caseunsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ eachindependently denote H or C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; and R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently denote H, F, Cl,Br, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, or C₁₋₆-alkyl; wherein thesubstituents on the alkyl, heterocyclyl or cycloalkyl groups replace oneor more hydrogen atoms with one or more identical or differentsubstituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,NH₂, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, C₁₋₆-alkyl, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂, SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, S-benzyl, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH,O—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, ═O, O-benzyl, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl,phenyl, phenoxy, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and benzyl; andthe substituents on the aryl or heteroaryl groups replace one or morehydrogen atoms with one or more identical or different substituentsselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NH₂,NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂,SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, O—C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl,C(═O)NHC₁₋₆-alkyl; o-pyridyl; C(═O)-aryl; C(═O)—N-morpholine;C(═O)-piperidine; (C═O)-pyrrolidine; (C═O)-piperazine; NHSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,NHCOC₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CH₂SO₂-phenyl, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OCF₃, SCF₃, CF₃,

 C₁₋₆-alkyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy,phenyl, pyridyl, alkylaryl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl and furyl; ora salt thereof with a pharmacologically acceptable acid, and at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substance.
 15. Apharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidsubstituted nicotinamide compound is selected from the group consistingof: 892-(2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)nicotinamide 90N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio)-nicotinamide91N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)ethyl-thio)nicotinamide,and 92N-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)ethylthio)nicotinamide.16. A method of treating or inhibiting a condition selected from thegroup consisting of pain, epilepsy, migraine, anxiety states, andurinary incontinence in a subject in need thereof, said methodcomprising administering to said subject a pharmacologically effectiveamount of a substituted nicotinamide compound corresponding to formula I

wherein n=0, 1 or 2; p=0 or 1; q=0 or 1; R¹ denotes aryl or heteroaryl,each unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl,C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl, each unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; R² denotes H or C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; R³ denotes aryl or heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono-or poly-substituted; C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkyl, in each caseunsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ eachindependently denote H or C₁₋₆-alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- orpoly-substituted; and R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently denote H, F, Cl,Br, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, SCF₃, or C₁₋₆-alkyl; wherein thesubstituents on the alkyl, heterocyclyl or cycloalkyl groups replace oneor more hydrogen atoms with one or more identical or differentsubstituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,NH₂, —NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, C₁₋₆-alkyl, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂NO₂, SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, S-benzyl, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH,O—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, ═O, O-benzyl, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl,phenyl, phenoxy, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl and benzyl; andthe substituents on the aryl or heteroaryl groups replace one or morehydrogen atoms with one or more identical or different substituentsselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NH₂,NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl, NH—C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, N(C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH)₂, NO₂,SH, S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OH, O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, O—C₁₋₆alkyl-OH, C(═O)C₁₋₆-alkyl,C(═O)NHC₁₋₆-alkyl; o-pyridyl; C(═O)-aryl; C(═O)—N-morpholine;C(═O)-piperidine; (C═O)-pyrrolidine; (C═O) piperazine; NHSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,NHCOC₁₋₆-alkyl, CO₂H, CH₂SO₂-phenyl, CO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, OCF₃, SCF₃, CF₃,

C₁₋₆-alkyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, benzyloxy, phenoxy,phenyl, pyridyl, alkylaryl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thienyl and furyl; ora salt thereof with a pharmacologically acceptable acid.
 17. A method asclaimed in claim 16, wherein said condition is pain.
 18. A method asclaimed in claim 17, wherein said pain is selected from the groupconsisting of acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, muscular painand inflammatory pain.